Botswana Railways (BR) in collaboration with Business Botswana and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) held an interactive session with potential investors, where it was revealed that the country’s railway line is looking P15 billion worth of investment in its ambitious infrastructure development plan.

As Botswana yearns to advance into high income economy by taking advantage of available natural resources and exploring possible partnerships models to develop industrial and labour-intensive sectors that can absorb many of its unemployed citizenry, infrastructures registers as one of the key missing factors that are desperately imperative in connecting the puzzle in realising the nations ‘s economic aspirations.

Infrastructure facilitates trade, linking production sites to regions of demand and the market, in the process unlocking other value chain business opportunities and support industries. Among investors which BR engaged were also experts and leading personalities and entrepreneurs from Banking, Mining, Assert and Property Management, Fund Managers, Construction and Railway Lines from neighbouring countries and abroad to engage on key national rail projects that Botswana seeks to embark on.

It emerged at this Breakfast briefing held in Masa Square, Central Business District (CBD) Gaborone that these multibillion-pula projects if undertaken and effectively delivered would go a long way into unlocking various economic sectors, deliver higher GDP value and create much needed employment for Batswana especially the youth.

The two projects are the Mosetse –Kazungula and Mmamabula –Lephalale railways links. These projects which are estimated at P15 billion stands to push amongst others Botswana Coal industry which is currently at infant stage despite increasing global demand. The coal resources in Botswana are estimated at over 200 billion tonnes of deposits underground. Currently not even a quarter is unearthed as only Morupule Coal mine is an operating mine with salable coal reaching the market.

When giving an overview of Botswana Railways’ ambition with these projects, Chief Executive Officer Leonard Makwinja reiterated that adequate physical rail Infrastructure is instrumental to the growth and competitiveness of Botswana given its strategic geographical location at the Centre of Southern Africa. “By developing enabling infrastructure, the Government can achieve the goal of transforming the country into a regional hub for Foreign Direct Investment by tapping into both neighbouring and international markets” he said.

P13 billion Mosetse –Kazungula rail project

The Mosetse-Kazungula project is positioned to provide a railway line from Mosetse in Botswana, connecting to Zambia and beyond through the Kazungula bridge. The rail line is part of the North South Corridor (NSC) with numerous benefits such as being gate-way to North African markets promoting inter regional trade, connecting North African region to maritime ports in South Africa, reduction of haulage traffic on roads amongst others.

Botswana railways chief added that the project cultivates an opportunity for tourism industry by providing for tourist trains as it runs through a wildlife rich area with various attractive landscapes and natural beauty of Chobe region. “This also provides alternative transport mode for Agricultural products from Pandamatenga Farms, remember agriculture also comes as one of the sectors we intend to develop as a country to diversify from the mineral revenue dependence,” added Makwinja

He explained that Botswana Railways is open to partner with potential investors noting that the recent State Visit to China by President Masisi has indicated capacity and willingness to participate by Chinese Government. On November 12th Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Kenneth Matambo together with Vice Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency signed the letter of Exchange on the technical Survey for projects submitted during the state visit to China by His Excellency President Masisi.

It was explained that as part of the assessment for the projects submitted, it is a requirement to undertake a technical Survey that will guide on the feasible projects after which negotiations for funding will commence between the two Governments. The Mosetse-Kazungula Railway line is one of the earmarked projects under consideration with others including Francistown- Nata Road, Nata-Gweta-Sehithwa-Gumare-Etsha-Mohembo roads.

At the singing of letters of exchange Minister Matambo reiterated that no commitment of funding of these projects was yet sealed, explaining that discussions will ensue once the technical Surveys have been completed for projects deemed feasible. Botswana Railways Chief revealed at the investor briefing that Chinese government might avail only a certain percentage of the total estimated cost considering the fact that there are a number of other key earmarked projects of high imperative competing for the funds such as the Francistown-Nata road which is currently in a poor state.

The Mosetse–Kazungula railway project is estimated to P 13 billion excluding rolling stock requirements with estimated initial tonnage at 2 million tons and is expected to grow to 4 million tons. Makwinja explained that 14 locomotives will be required with traffic geared to mostly be transit with wagons supplied from point of origin. “Line is designed as cape gauge, heavy haul at 26 ton/axle for 367 Km, the line goes through wildlife and agricultural areas and stations will be at Mosetse, Nata, Pandamatenga and Kazungula” he explained.

Mmamabula-Lephalale Rail Link Project

Estimated at P 2 billion to erect, the 56 km Mmamabula Lephalale Rail Link which will connect Mmamabula/Dibete in Botswana to Lephalale in South Africa aims to link Botswana’s over 200 billion coal deposits to South African’s heavy haul lines. One key feature of the project is a bridge across Limpopo River of Chief Executive Makwinja revealed that Botswana Railways and its South African counterparts are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate progress of the project.

He further explained that the railway line would be a gate way to South African ports for the coal market providing for a shorter route for North South Corridor coupled with Mosetse-Kazungula line. The rail way line which will be designed as cape gauge, heavy haul at 26 ton/axle with two years initial tonnage estimated at 10.5 MTPA will link the Masama coal fields which are currently explored by Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed Minergy to South African market.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Kabelo Ebineng shared that the earmarked undertakings are capital intensive projects that needed Government to think outside the box and approach the private sector so as synergies and areas of collaboration can be identified. “You are all aware that the Kazungula Bridge which has both the road and rail components is nearing completion hence the need for us to give impetus to the Mosetse-Kazungula Rail Line construction,”he said.

“These projects are central to us as a government. I am also aware of the high appetite for Mmamabula- Lephalale within the coal mining entities as this will represent the shortest route for the North South Corridor. As Botswana government we consider all these projects very strategic to our quest for regional integration as a country.”